Controversial social media blogger Musa Khawula made headlines again on Wednesday morning when he abandoned his bail application at the Randburg Magistrates Court. The 33-year-old, known for his outspoken and often inflammatory posts, appeared in court amidst a web of serious criminal charges. His decision to forgo a bail application followed advice that it might not succeed, given his ongoing legal troubles in multiple courts.
Khawula’s legal challenges are mounting. According to Kaya News, the blogger is set to appear in the Fochville Magistrates Court next week, where he faces charges of attempted murder stemming from an alleged hit-and-run incident in the Free State in 2022. This case adds to an already complicated legal docket.
In addition to the attempted murder charges, Khawula is also accused of crimen injuria and violating the Cyber Crimes Act for defamatory online posts made about businessman Ze Nxumalo and his wife, Dr. Tamaryn Green, in October of the previous year. The blogger faces an additional charge under the Cyber Crimes Act related to defamatory remarks about a prominent politician, which have further complicated his legal standing.
The case was adjourned, with the court setting the next hearing for Tuesday, 18 February, to allow time for further investigations.
Khawula’s troubled legal history includes a 90-day prison sentence in July 2024 after he was convicted in a defamation case brought by Nozuko Mbalula, the wife of ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, and her business partner. His run-ins with the law have not been limited to defamation and online offenses; he is also facing murder charges after allegedly fatally stabbing Wandile Khambule in 2022.
The blogger’s court appearances have been accompanied by dramatic moments—earlier this week, he was spotted smiling and blowing kisses at the media, a gesture that has sparked mixed reactions from the public. His decision to forgo bail adds another layer of complexity to his already tumultuous career, with his future in the balance as the multiple legal cases against him unfold.
As the investigations continue, many are left wondering what the next chapter holds for the once-popular yet polarizing figure of South African social media.
